UK cops disciplined, sacked, quit over Facebook misdeeds

English and Welsh police are no more sensible than anyone else when it comes to being web2.0sluts, according to reports. Some 150 officers from forces south of the Scottish border have been disciplined for their antics on Facebook in the past four years, at least two were sacked, and a further seven are known to have resigned over online foolishnesses.

The figures and background data were released to the Press Association newswire following a preplanned festive-season Freedom of Information Act request. The agency says that officers' misdeeds included boasting of having roughed up members of the public during recent protests/riots, attempts to befriend victims of crime, inappropriate comment on "others' wives", and harassment of former partners and colleagues. That perennial Facebook favourite, inappropriate pictures, also led to many bobbies' downfall.

One Hampshire plod was reportedly sacked without notice for posting a racist comment on Facebook and another was booted off his force for abusing a fellow officer and harassing a female colleague. Seven other cops resigned following complaints regarding their online behaviour.

Another 56 cops copped written warnings, with nine of these being final ones. A further 88 cases were deemed serious enough to merit some form of action by the offending plods' superiors, including the no-doubt dreaded "guidance or words of advice". Some 32 of 187 complaints made against officers regarding Facebook use were withdrawn, found to be unsubstantiated or otherwise came to nothing.

For context there are over 141,000 police officers in England and Wales and the figures cover four years. ®